10A NCAC 70I .0915         FIRE safety AND disaster plan

(a)  Care shall be exercised by the staff of a residential child-care facility in allowing children to use matches or to handle combustible materials.

(b)  A written fire evacuation plan (including a diagrammed drawing) that has the approval of the local code enforcement official shall be prepared with a minimum of 1/8 inch high letters and posted in a central location on each floor of the building. 

(c)  A written disaster plan shall be prepared and updated at least annually and shall be maintained in the facility. 

(d)  Fire drills shall be held monthly at different times during the day and quarterly at night for both children and staff.  A residential child-care facility shall document fire drills including the date and time of the rehearsals, staff members present and a short description of what the rehearsal involved. 

(e)  The executive director of a residential child-care facility, or his/her designee, shall instruct staff and children residing in a residential child-care facility and shall train the staff and children in the proper reporting of a fire and the ways of escaping from a fire.  New residents shall be instructed within the first day upon admittance.

(f)  Fire extinguishers shall be provided in a residential child-care facility that meets the following minimum requirements:

(1)           one five pound or larger (net charge) "A-B-C" type centrally located.

(2)           one-five pound or larger "A-B-C" or "CO/2" type located in the kitchen.

(3)           any other location as determined by the code enforcement official.

(g)  When there are seven or more children residing in the residential child-care facility, and it is classified as a residential occupancy by the Division of Health Service Regulation, each floor level shall be separated from other floors in accordance with the requirements of the applicable building code, and by not less than walls and a solid core, self-closing, 20 minute fire-rated door.

(h)  Fire exits and all exit-access paths including doors, hallways and stairs shall be well lighted and kept clear of obstructions.

(i)  The building shall be provided with the smoke detectors as required by the North Carolina State Building Code in effect at the time of initial licensing or renovations.

(j)  Heat detectors shall be located in the attic and connected to a dedicated sounding device.  This Paragraph shall not apply to existing licensed facilities that have had no additions or renovations.

(k)  Smoking is not permitted in a residential child-care facility.

(l)  Any fire safety requirements required by city ordinances or county building inspectors shall be met.

(m)  This Rule shall apply to new and existing licensed facilities except where otherwise specified.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;

Eff. October 1, 2008;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 5, 2016.